Patentable/Patents/US-8538986
US-8538986

System for coordinating user images in an artistic design

PublishedSeptember 17, 2013
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

A computer system coupled to a digital image database with images having image attributes. The image attributes are automatically evaluated in order to find a compatible digital template from a digital template database. The templates each include a plurality of windows for displaying the digital images and each of the template include template attributes to automatically select a template whose attributes are compatible with at least one of the image attribute. The data base of digital images is also automatically searched for additional images having an attribute compatible with the template attributes and with the first one of the image attributes. A display screen coupled to the computer system displays the selected template and at least one other image.

Patent Claims
12 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A computer system comprising: a circuit for coupling the computer system to a digital image database, each of the digital images including image attributes associated therewith; a working memory coupled to the circuit for storing images obtained from the database and for storing a data base of digital templates, each of the templates including a plurality of windows for displaying one or more of the digital images, wherein each of the templates includes a first window, corresponding to a primary window for displaying a primary digital image having first required image attributes and weighting factors associated with each image attribute, at least one second window, corresponding to a secondary window for displaying a secondary digital image having second required image attributes and weighting factors associated with each image attribute, and an initial bias score; a processor for automatically extracting image attributes from the working memory that are associated with a selected one of the images stored therein, for evaluating the extracted image attributes, for weighting the evaluated image attributes using the corresponding weighting factor, for computing a fitness score for each template based at least upon the initial bias score and the weighted image attributes corresponding to displaying the primary image in the first window for selecting templates where the first required image attributes are satisfied by the weighted image attributes for further evaluation, for updating the fitness score for each selected template based upon the weighted image attributes corresponding to displaying the secondary images in the remaining of the plurality of windows by evaluating combinations of placing a subset of the secondary images in the remaining of the plurality of windows so that the second required image attributes are satisfied by the weighted image attributes and selecting the combination that results in the highest fitness score for each template, and for selecting the templates with the highest fitness scores; and a display screen to present at least one of the highest scoring selected templates to a user.

Plain English Translation

A computer system creates artistic designs by combining user-provided images. It connects to a digital image database where each image has associated attributes (e.g., color, subject). The system stores images and digital templates (layouts) in memory. Each template has multiple windows for displaying images; a primary window needing specific image attributes, and secondary windows. The system extracts attributes from a selected image, weights these attributes, and computes a "fitness score" for each template based on how well the image's attributes match the primary window's requirements, also considering an initial bias score. It then evaluates how well other images fit in the remaining windows, selecting image combinations that maximize the template's fitness score. Finally, the system displays the highest scoring template to the user.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The computer system according to claim 1 wherein the digital image database is contained in a portable memory device.

Plain English Translation

The computer system described for creating artistic designs from user images, where image attributes are evaluated and templates are selected, uses a digital image database stored on a portable memory device (like a USB drive or SD card).

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The computer system according to claim 1 wherein the digital image database is contained in a network accessible storage device.

Plain English Translation

The computer system described for creating artistic designs from user images, where image attributes are evaluated and templates are selected, uses a digital image database stored on a network-accessible storage device, such as a server on a local network or a cloud storage service.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The computer system according to claim 1 wherein the display screen includes a plurality of windows, and wherein the selected template and the at least one other digital image are displayed in separate windows.

Plain English Translation

The computer system, which creates artistic designs by combining user-provided images and selecting templates based on image attribute matching, displays the selected template and at least one additional digital image on the display screen in separate windows. This allows the user to view both the assembled design and individual images simultaneously.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The computer system according to claim 1 , wherein the selected template and the at least one other digital image are displayed as a list of template and image file names.

Plain English Translation

The computer system, which creates artistic designs by combining user-provided images and selecting templates based on image attribute matching, presents the selected template and at least one other digital image as a list of template and image file names. Instead of displaying the images visually within the template, the system provides a text-based listing of the selected items.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The computer system according to claim 1 further comprising a printer coupled to the computer system for printing the selected template and the at least one other digital image.

Plain English Translation

The computer system that generates artistic designs from user images and selects templates based on image analysis, includes a printer. This printer is used to create a physical printout of the selected template and the incorporated digital images.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The computer system according to claim 6 wherein the printed selected template and the at least one other digital image comprises one of the following image display products: an album page; a label; a sticker.

Plain English Translation

The computer system, as described previously with a printer that outputs a selected template and one or more digital images, outputs the result as one of these image display products: an album page (for scrapbooks), a label (e.g., address label or product label), or a sticker.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The computer system according to claim 1 further comprising user controls for permitting a user to modify or replace the at least one other digital image.

Plain English Translation

The computer system for generating artistic designs with automated image and template selection includes user controls. These controls allow the user to modify or replace one or more of the digital images within the selected template. This provides the user with the ability to fine-tune the automatically generated result.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The computer system according to claim 1 further comprising user controls for permitting a user to relocate at least one of said windows within the digital template.

Plain English Translation

The computer system for generating artistic designs with automated image and template selection incorporates user controls that enable the user to relocate at least one of the windows within the selected digital template. This allows the user to customize the template layout by repositioning the image placeholders.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The computer system according to claim 1 further comprising user controls for storing as a computer accessible file the selected template and the at least one other digital image.

Plain English Translation

The computer system described for creating artistic designs from user images, where image attributes are evaluated and templates are selected, includes user controls that allow the user to save the selected template and associated digital images as a computer-accessible file. This allows the user to store their customized design for later use or modification.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The computer system according to claim 10 further comprising a circuit for transmitting the computer accessible file over a communication network.

Plain English Translation

The computer system, which allows saving a selected template and digital images as a computer-accessible file, further includes a circuit to transmit this file over a communication network (e.g., the Internet, a local network). This enables the user to share their design with others or store it on a remote server.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The computer system according to claim 1 further comprising means for calculating a compatibility score for images to determine which image best satisfies image attribute requirements for a particular window.

Plain English Translation

The computer system described for creating artistic designs from user images incorporates a mechanism for calculating a "compatibility score". This score is used to determine which image best satisfies the image attribute requirements for a particular window within a template, ensuring that the most appropriate image is selected for each placeholder.

Classification Codes (CPC)

Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

July 30, 2009

Publication Date

September 17, 2013

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System for coordinating user images in an artistic design